The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-18
THE STORY OF NATHAN HALE
Told by Charles Dudley Warner at the
dwelling Of the Hartford Statue.
The Sculptor's Ideal Face and Figure, and the
Preserved Descriptions of the Young Hero
and Martyr-Hales Death in New York.


The statue OF Nathan Hale made by author
ity OF the State of Connecticut to De placed in
the Capitol, this afternoon formally deliv-
cred by the commission to the State. 1t is the
work OF Carl Gerhardt of Hartford. and is a
bronze figure of heroic size. Hale is represent
ed as standing with his arms partly outstretched
and attitude suggestive of his famous words
of regret that he had but one life to give for
his country. The presentation address was
made by Charles Dudley Warner. In the course
of his address Mr.. Warner said:
sThis is not portrait statue There is no
likeness of Nathan Hale extant The only
known miniature of his face, in the possession of
the lady to whom he was betrothed at the time
artist was obliged, therefore. to create ideal
figure. aided by few fraementary descriptions
been to represent an American youth of the Pc
riod. American patriot and zcholar, whose
manly beauty and grace tradition loves to recall
to represent, in face and in bearing, the
him conspicuous among his fellows and to show
forth, if possible tho deed that made him
immortal For it is the deed and the memora-
bic last words think of when think Of
Hale. l know that by ono of the canons of art
it is held that sculpture should rarely fix mo-
mentary action, but if this can be pardoned in
the LAGOON where suffering could not other
wise be depicted to excite the sympathy of the
spectator, surely it can be justified in this case
when, as one may say, the Immortality OF the
subject rests upon a sirgle act-upon n phrase
mans life-all his character-howered and
bloomed into immortal beauty in this Que
preme moment of selfsacrifce, triumph, def
ance.
'On the 21st of April, 1775, a messenger rid
ing express from Boston to New York with the
tidings of Lexington and Concord, reached New
London. The news created intense excitement.
public meeting was called in the courthouse
at twilight and among the speakers who ex-
horted the people to take up arms at once was
one youth not yet twenty years OF age. who
said: Let us march Immediately and never lay
down our arms until we have obtained our inde
pendence-one of the irst perhaps the first. of
pendence 1twas Nathan Hale, already person
of some note in the colony, of a family then net
unknown and destined in various ways to dis
tnction in the Republic"
OF Hale's personal appearance when he was
graduated at Yale College in 1773, at the age of
eighteen years, the speaker said
"Dr. Eneas Munson, of New Haven, who
knew him we'll in the last year of Yale said of
him: He was almost six feet in height per-
fectly proportional, and in figure and deport-
ment he was the most manly man nave ever
met. His chest broad; his muscles were
firm; his face wore most benign expression;
his complexion was roseate; his eyes were light
and blue. and beamed with intelligence; his
hair was soft and light-brown in color ard his
speech WAS rather low. sweet and musical
His personal beauty and grace of manner
were most charming min Why, all the girls
DR.. Munson, and went tears of real sorrow
when they heard Of his sad fate. In dress he
was always neat. He was quick to lend a hand
to e being in distress. brute or human; was over
flowing with good humor, and was the idol of all
his acquaintances.' AT his graduation
he engaged in a debate on the question whether
the education of daughters be not, without any
just reason. more neglected than that of the
sons. In this debate, wrote Judge Hillhouse.
of his classmates, 'he was the champion of
the daughters. and most ably advocated their
m IA he
plaudiis OF the ladies present. Hale seems 30
have had an irresistible charm for every body.
the manner and the qualities that made
him leader among men and gained
him the admiration OF women. He was always
intelligently busy and had the Yankee ingenuity.
to the girls of Coventry. laughing, over the
spinning wheel There is a universal testimony
to his alert intelligence. vivacity. manliness,
sincerity. and Willingness. 1t is probable that
while still UNDERGRADUATE at Yale he was
engaged to Alice Adams, who was born in Can
terbury, young lady distinguished then as she
was afterwards for great beauty and intelli-
gence. After Hales death she married Mr..
Eleazer Ripley. and was left widow at the age
of eighteen, with one child, who survived its
father only a year. She married the second
time, William Lawrence. of Hartford, and died
in this city, greatly respected and admired, in
I845, aged eighty-eight- 1t is a touching note
of the hold of the memory of her young lover
upon her admiration that her last words, MUIR
INJURED. as life was ebbing. were. Write to
Nathan"
The speaker told of Hale's volunteering to
penetrate the British lines and endeavor to OBJ
tain information that seemed imperatvely neces-
sary to save Washington's army from destruc-
ton Hale crossed over from Norwaik to
Huntington Cove. on Long Island. In the dis
guise of a schoolmaster he penetrated the British
lines and the city. made accurate drawings of
the fortifcations and memoranda. in Latin. of all
that he observed which he concealedketw the
soles of his shoes. and returned to the point on
the shore where he first landed. He expected to
be met by a boat and to cross the sound to Nor
walk the next morning. The next morning he
was captured, no doubt by Tory treachery and
taken to Howes headquarters, the mansion Of
James Beekman. situated at 1t. !the pres
Tha. was on the DIST of September
(I776.) Without trial and upon the evidence
found on his person Howe condemned him to
be hanged as a spy the next morning. Indeed,
Hale made no attempt al defense. He frankly
owned his mission, and expressed regret that he
could not serve his country better. His open,
manly bearing and high spirits commanded the
respect of his captors. Mercy he did expect,
and pity was not shown him. The British were
irritated by conhagration which had that
morning laid almost a third of the city il ashes,
and which they attributed to incendiary efforts
to deprive them of agreeable winter quarters
Hale at first locked up in the Beekman
greenhouse. Whether he remained there all
night was cot known, and the place of his exc
cution has been disputed; but the best evidence
seems to be that it took place on the farm of
Colonel Rutger. on the west side. in the orchard
and Market street, and that he was hanged to
the limb of apple tree.
sit lovely Sunday morning. before
the break Of day, that he was marched to the
place of execution, Sept %. While awaiting
the necessary preparations courteous young
officer permitted him to Sit in his tent. He
asked for the presence of chaplain his request
was refused. He asked for Bible; it de-
MED. But at the solicitation of the young officer
lie was furnished with writing materials, and
wrote briefly to his mother, his sister and his
49, had a inf ~
to whom Howe had delivered him. read what
was written he was furious at the noble and
dauntless spiri. shown, and, with foul oaths.
tore the letter into shreds, saying afterwards
that the rebels should never know that they
had man who could die with such irmness.'
AS Hale stood upon the fatal ladder Cunning
ham tainted him and scofhngly demanded his
last dying speech and confession The hero
did not heed the words of the brute, but looking
calmly upon the spectators, said in a clear voice:
81 only regret that have but one life to lose
for my country
And the ladder was snatched from under
him."